Had a Great tourney with very little problems. A few of the newer kids had problems with proper play of some the new cards but all was GOOD in the end. With only 3 entry's in the 10 & under group Joey ended up winning the trip to Florida as there was no cut needed and a winner was determend after the Swiss Rounds.
In the 11-14 age Group it came down to Justin & Bin for the trip. Since Justin had already won in Oregon Bin was guarenteed the trip but Justin was looking for bragging rights and wanted to play the match out to try and claim 1st again, NO WAY!!! Bin took Justin down and claimed 1st Place all to himself...

15+ Was of course the monster group and top 4 ended up with Damon, Aaron Wesley and Jerry(the loan Cali Rep)
Damon with Omastar & Kabutops -vs- Jerry with his Gardy/Gardy Ex deck. Omaster had been reaking havic all day on the Bar and Bex's decks so this one looked intresting. After what seemed like an hour just for the 1st game, Jerry finally took that one and they moved on to game 2 but the cards weren't with Damon in the Final4 and Jerry made it a clean sweep.

The second pair saw 2 Bar type decks pairing off. Wes with Blazy/Blazy Ex as well as Manetric to transfer the energy against Aaron's Blazy/Blazy Ex with Wobby as the kicker. 1st Game was a total wash as Wesley got the Ubber set up and after about 5 or 6 Rounds threw in the towel to get to Game 2. Game 2 was if I remember a better start for Aaron but Wes was able to turn things around after starting with just a Skitty I think went down to the wire but this 1 went to Aaron, 1 all.
Game 3 was slow to start but then they bgan to start swapping prizes. Time was called with both players having 3 prizes left, SUDDEN DEATH, Next prize takes the match and a chance at the trip. Not exactly sure about how everything transpired but after 2 or 3 very calculated moved by both players to try and set themselves up for the win, Wesley retreated a Delcatty brought up a Ray for the win and a match up against Jerry for the trip.

Then in what had to be the most stunning move of the day both Jerry & Wes had asked to have there final match now become a Winner take all Single Match, No 2 out of 3, just 1 match Winner take all. After confiring with both players and then informing the PTO as to what both players wanted, it was agreed upon and so the 15+ Finals was now a 1 match for all the Marbles.
As the Head Judge for this event I now relinquished my duties as my son was 1 of the finalist. Not very proper to be making rulings on a match with so much at stake so I went to the front of the store and waited like everyone else.

Having said that this is why I can't give you a round by round blow although I can tell you that from talking to both players after the match, It was 1 hell of a match and both have no regrets about going all or nothing. Your Arizona 15+ Gym Challenge winner, Jerry Team LA... Nice match guys and thaks for the visit once again. Was great to see some of you again although we did miss a few of the others,. Till next time, Out...

BLiZzArD

06/01/2004, 10:57 PM

always a pleasure to be at one of your events too bad some people in Cali don't treat vistors with the same respect you do
BLiZ

spookees

06/02/2004, 12:06 AM

Wes and Jerrys final match was one great match, judging that one was a pleasure (although nerve racking, it was one longgggg match).
Congrats to Jerry for winning the 15+ group
Congrats to Bin for winning the trip OUTRIGHT (another great final match)
Congrats to my son Joey for winning the 10 and under group

After visiting 4 gym challenges, we met a ton of people from this site and off this site, we hope to see you all again at Worlds! Howver i would be remiss in not mentioning our trip out to the SD gym was not as pleasant. Before the tourney even began, derogatory comments were made about the players in Arizona. And things happened during the rest of the day to a few of our players (will report it in our feedback no need to go into here).

Team LA it is always a pleasure to see you guys again....only hope some others in Cali would be as respectful.

Pablo

06/02/2004, 08:33 AM

John Wes used 'you know who's' TAMBOR list?

Lugias_Realm

06/02/2004, 08:59 AM

John Wes used 'you know who's' TAMBOR list?
Nope... Pablo, he stuck with his usual deck. Kept everything the same and figured he'd go down fighting with it or win with the original deck he started with...

Pablo

06/02/2004, 04:24 PM

oh ok I was just wondering... so will you be at Worlds even if Wes doesn't win a trip? yeah, right? I could really use my Mudkip plush =P

BLiZzArD

06/02/2004, 05:48 PM

It got confiscated by my 7 year old in the process of ording you another if I don't go I'll send it with John and Wes
BLiZ

Lugias_Realm

06/02/2004, 08:33 PM

It got confiscated by my 7 year old in the process of ording you another if I don't go I'll send it with John and Wes
BLiZ
We will all be there, one way or another!!! Ken has agreed to become my Boy Friday(Do laundry, cook, scrub toilets, and other general maid duties) to help earn his keep. I figure if we pimp him out to enough families we can earn him enough extra cash to get him there and then let him take a shot on Friday at the Grinder...

spookees

06/02/2004, 09:37 PM

I have already hired him out for 2 weeks john, you can have him after that. hahaha

Pablo

06/03/2004, 07:53 AM

Bliz - aww man it got confiscated =/ you really need to get another one or theres a certain Ray I could also use ;).

John - I can see Bliz doing that for money =P well hopefully he will make it. I want to FINALLY be able to play you guys in person.